COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO.131

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

Co-signed Cllr Guss O Connell & Cllr Paul Gogarty

Car Park Spaces 2.2.6

Underground car park to be designed within the SDZ plan. Having a no car design will result in in an increase in “buy to let” which would lead to high turnover in tenancy and therefore creating an environment where community formation would become difficult to achieve.

Pg. 33 Section 2.2.6 Paragraph 2 to add in the following line:

“Underground car park spaces to be provided in high density areas allowing for the option of resident car parking and/or renting of spaces.”

REPORT:

Response

A widespread requirement for basement in high density areas would have implications in terms of achieving a sustainable mode split and the integration of land use and transport planning and also in terms of the viability and affordability of housing. The motion would also be at variance with County Development Plan parking standard and the relevant guidelines in relation to limiting the availability of parking in urban centres and close to public transport to discourage car commuting.

The Draft SDZ Planning Scheme seeks to minimise the number of car spaces and maximise their use within the SDZ lands in order to promote sustainable travel patterns particularly. Car parking for the key land uses in Clonburris are required to be provided in accordance with the standards set out under the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016 –2022, which require less parking in areas of high accessibility.

The Transport Assessment and Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme has carried out an assessment of the proposed car parking standards based on projected parking demand and an Accessibility Assessment. Further to the findings of the Transport Assessment and Strategy, the parking standards will be more than sufficient to cater for the parking needs of the Planning Scheme. Furthermore, utilising DMURS guidance on parking design, an examination of the spatial requirements under the Transport Assessment and Strategy concludes that the majority of parking can be met on-street thus reducing resource and urban design implications associated with basement parking.

Any increase in parking standards would require more costly parking facilities in the form of basement parking etc., which will have implications in relation to the viability and affordability of residential development particularly apartment schemes.

The approach of the Draft Planning Scheme and County Development Plan is consistent with the recommendations of the Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009) and the National Transport Authority’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which seeks to implement maximum parking standards that reflect proximity to public transport and limit the availability of parking in urban centres to discourage car commuting.

Furthermore, the Sustainable Urban Housing Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities Draft Update (December 2017) advise that the car parking provision for apartments in locations that are well served by public transport such as the SDZ lands should be substantially reduced.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion

Additional underground provision and associated construction activity may require significant soil disturbance and removal as well as potential effects on soil and geology SEOs; use of significant additional amounts of concrete would also cumulatively effect air quality and climate SEOS. Potential effects may also arise in relation to drainage and percolation on the lands. It is not recommended for adoption.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.